Introduction to the Special Section: Risky Business Below Deck : Onboard the Reality Television Occu-Soap
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This dossier introduction begins by describing Below Deck , locating Bravo’s popular franchise within wider reality television traditions. We then focus on the specific features of the occupation-centered docusoap, or “occu-soap,” demonstrating how interpersonal relations between the crew have largely supplanted earlier class-related interests in documenting the bad behavior of elite guests. We contend that this shift creates an opportunity to investigate broader conflicts of labor, risk, and workplace culture. Our individual dossier contributions demonstrate how reality television produces and manages risk and reward for participants, production crews, and reality television fans.
Source: Television & New Media
Authors: Nitin Govil, Caetlin Benson-Allott
Institutions: University of Southern California, Georgetown University
Language: English
Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,650
OpenAlex ID: W7147487185